RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Photographs, purportedly of the mother-of-three after her disappearance, were later mailed to police and family by someone claiming to be Ms Buckland to assure she was okay.

The investigation then turned to the Hunter Valley in NSW, where the letters appeared to be sent from, with no success.

What appeared to be recent photographs of the mother-of-three were later mailed to police by a someone claiming to be Ms Buckland (one of the mysterious photos is pictured)

Ms Buckland is believed to be pictured after her disappearance, in photos posted to police from the NSW Hunter Valley

'We believe she is alive,' Sen-Sgt Powell told Courier Mail.

'It's hard to say [why she left], but obviously all our ­inquiries have drawn a blank. There is no evidence of her [being alive] but she may well have the capabilities to use a different name or work for cash in hand.'

Sen-Sgt Powell said police did not know how her belongings ended up at O'Dempsey's house, or how they might be involved with each other.

O'Dempsey is accused over the murders of Barbara McCulkin and her daughters Leanne and Vicky after they went missing from their Highgate Hill, Brisbane, home in January 1974.

Facebook page 'Help Find Tanya Buckland' is still updated by family members.

Facebook page 'Help Find Tanya Buckland' is still updated by family members

'We believe she is alive,' Sen-Sgt Powell said of Ms Buckland (pictured)

Sen-Sgt Powell said police did not know how Ms Buckland's belongings ended up at O'Dempsey's house, or how they might be involved with each other

Barbara McCulkin, who went missing from her Highgate Hill, Brisbane, home in 1974